THE MEMORY OF WATER by Karen White
THE MEMORY OF WATER is the latest novel from Georgia writer Karen White. It is a book located in the low country of South Carolina, specifically a small town called McClellanville. The story involves a family that has gone through terrific trials and tribulations, and is still reeling from the aftermaths of these events. In the way White spins the story it has an almost gothic flavor, and that’s a good thing. It’s not everyone who can summon up comparisons to Bronte or Du Maurier.
The book is told from four viewpoints – Diana Maitland, her ex-husband Quinn, her son Gil, and her sister Marnie. Diana has not seen her sister in years. Marnie has been living in Arizona but comes back to her home town when she is summoned by Quinn. He says that he and Diana’s son Gil needs her.
Gil is a nine year old boy that Marnie has never met. He and his mother were in a boat accident two months prior to Marnie’s return and he has not spoken a single word since the accident. Marnie has been working with special needs children in Arizona so Quinn thinks she might be able to help her own nephew Gil.
Diana has been kept at arm’s length from Gil since the accident. Quinn does not trust her and Gil appears to be afraid of her. This is understandable as Diana suffers from some emotional problems that seem to be natural to the Maitland family. Diana and Marnie’s mother suffered from this “illness” as did other members of their ancestry. Diana calls it the “Maitland curse” and thinks it strikes the more artistic members of the family.
Marnie’s hope is that she can help Gil get back his vocal skills. She also wants to find some way to reconcile with Diana. If she can do these two things she can also get her life back on track.
Karen White is such a talented author that she can give full range to the voice of Marnie, the central character of the book. But that isn’t enough for this writer. She also manages to give distinct voices to the three other main characters and that is a phenomenal task. Making that effort is admirable, being successful at it is amazing.
White also manages to describe the sights and smells of the low country and she does it with such impact that you can feel the warm breezes and sniff the varying odors that inhabit this portion of the South. Few other writers can do it and an even rarer few can do it with such intensity and success.
THE MEMORY OF WATER is a story that fascinates from the very beginning. You meet Marnie and Diana and are immediately pulled into their world. It is a place of madness and misery but also of hope based on memory.
This is an excellent story told by a very talented writer. Do not miss the chance to visit the low country of South Carolina and meet some of the most fascinating characters ever created.
THE MEMORY OF WATER is published by NAL Accent. It contains 336 pages and sells for $14.00.